'When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras' - the old adage is well-known to GPs but what should you do when faced with a zebra, not a horse? Consultant cardiologist Professor Robert Tulloh and GP Dr Louise Tulloh kick off our new series with their advice on how to catch Kawasaki disease in general practice.

18% of GP training places unfilled after two recruitment rounds

Around 18% of training places in England were unfilled after two rounds of recruitment, down on the proportion of places filled at this stage last year.

The figures published on the GP National Recruitment Office website suggest that around 2,658 graduates have been recruited to start GP training this year - below the 2,691 recruited at this point last year.

It suggests that the target to recruit 3,250 GP trainees a year - which was first set for 2015 - will once again be missed.

They also reveal high vacancy rates in the devolved nations, with Scotland still advertising 21% of its 350 places, Wales advertising 28 of its 130 vacancies while six of the 97 places in Northern Ireland were unfilled.

People will only jump through the multiple hoops if the rewards are worth it - there used to be job satisfaction and rewards - anyone with an ounce of intelligence is going to steer well clear.Impossible job/ high risk stress/ physical and mental health problemsLow rewards financial and job satisfaction High risk of complaints leading to public humiliation posted on the Internet / Gmc hearings / risk of manslaughter Risk of bankruptcy if u are a partnerOver regulation It was never like this how sadIt's gone to far now we are at tipping point - don't get trapped

6 of 97 places filled in Northern Ireland ..are you for real? I guess someone thinks they don't need GPs in Northern Ireland then ..crazy social experiment or what. Or did I miss something ..did they fix disease over there already?

I sincerely hope that the trainees/potential future GPs are not allowed to read these comments.Dont you guys know that its now going to take TEN positive comments to each trainee to off-set the damage caused by your blatant honesty?

Its all about perceptions; a turd could be sculpted to look like a Toblerone bar.....and lets not argue about trivial details such as the taste.

The mantra for the day, and all repeat after me, is "Its never been a better time to be a GP.Ommmmmmmm".